The Insider's Guide To The Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival

Kickoff Canada’s 150th Birthday Summer celebrations right by joining us at Mooney’s Bay Park, June 22-25, for four days of racin’, fundraisin’, Dragon Boat riding, gift buying, snack-eating, rockin’ n’ rollin’ summer time fun! Admission to the festival is free and, with something for everyone, will be the perfect way to start Canada’s 150 celebration summer. Kids will find a cavalcade of characters and bevy of fun activities in the free Scotiabank Family Fun Zone surrounding the newly built Canada’s Largest Playground. Music enthusiasts and casual listeners alike can unite to rock along with one of the many live bands. The foodies and shoppers in the family will be able to immerse their palates and fill their closets (respectively) with the diverse selection of local vendors and exhibitors. All the while everyone will be riveted by the skill and competition of the festival’s cornerstone; the relentlessly exhilarating dragon boat races!

Thursday, June 22 when the RCAF Pipes and Drums get the 4-day long party started when they lead the Parade of Champions, which consists of teams and charities, into the Paddler’s Paradise beach tent to participate in the official Opening Ceremony. The boats hit the water soon after with the Charity Challenge Cup Races. The evening will be highlighted by free concerts from The Elwins, 2011 Juno Best New Group Said The Whale and multiple Juno Award winners The Sheepdogs.

Racing continues on Friday with the Breast Cancer Survivor Ceremonial Races and the accompanying Flower Ceremony, and then more racing takes place all day on Saturday & Sunday with free entertainment continuing throughout the weekend:

HILLSIDE AMPHETHEATER SCHEDULE

THURSDAY, JUNE 22

6:30 PM THE ELWINS

8:00 PM SAID THE WHALE

9:30 PM THE SHEEPDOGS

FRIDAY, JUNE 24

6:30 PM KALLE MATTSON

8:15 PM THE ZOLAS

9:45 PM DEAR ROUGE

SATURDAY, JUNE 25

5:00 PM TWIN FLAMES

6:30 PM KASADOR

8:00 PM DARCYS

9:30 PM HALF MOON RUN

The Children’s area will keep families happy throughout the weekend with a full line-up of spectacular characters including: Mascots from Ottawa’s Championship Teams, visitors from a galaxy far far away…, an Ottawa Fire Services truck, Ghostbusters, and so much more.

This year we introduce two new beach tents meant as a getaway from the typical hustle and bustle of the festival; The Cabin, a rugged callback to Ottawa’s lumber-town days, and The Oasis, a peaceful sanctuary for pampering and relaxation. Whether your idea of a getaway is a calm and serene day at the spa or a rough and tumble day outdoors the beach has what you’re looking for: axe throwing, massages, obstacle courses, relaxation classes, CrossFit, acupuncture, and more.

Don’t forget your sunscreen, your water bottle to refill at the free hydration station, and your appetite to experience many of the local treats in the vendors and exhibitors areas.

The action comes to a spectacular finish on Sunday with the closing ceremony which begins at 4:00 pm where participants bask in the glory of having joined with other competitors in a fun filled competitive weekend for a great cause.

The Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival is a not-for-profit event founded in 1993. The organization held its first inaugural festival in 1994 as a small half-day event that is now a multi-day celebration of the arts, sports, culture and heritage. The festival is North America's largest dragon boating event with over 200 teams in corporate, community and competitive categories. The festival offers free admission to multiple stages with world class entertainment, amusement attractions, a variety of artisans, exhibitors, delicious culinary treats, beach side bar, children’s area and non-stop racing. The Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival is made possible by the continued support of Canadian Heritage’s Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage, Celebrate Ontario and the City of Ottawa Partnership Program.